How To: Hang Art

With all of us spending way more time in our homes these days, it's not surprising that we're also getting more questions about how to hang art.  What's too high, too low, too small or too tall? What are the rules for hanging over the sofa, grouping multiple paintings together and where to hang the art? We've gotten so many questions we decided to write a list of tips.

Regarding the "rules" of hanging art, the short answer is there are some and the good news is you don’t have to follow them!  We prefer to look at them as quiet little guidelines that will help you hang your paintings confidently so they can look gorgeous on your walls. Most important is to have fun with your art:  re-arrange it frequently to keep it fresh – and enjoy it. And what better time is there than now, while you're home to enjoy the process and the results?Just grab your hammer and nails, follow a couple of our guidelines, and happy hanging!

The eyes have it: Always hang at eye level and avoid hanging too high.  You can use 60″ as the average level but just go with what feels right  And when hanging over a couch, dresser or piece of furniture, don’t hang it too high – usually 3 to 6 inches will do (we’ve found that to be our clients’ most common mistake).

This painting is hung perfectly over Suzanne Kasler's pretty daybed. 

Safety in numbers: Grouping similarly-sized work together, Suzanne Kasler fills the space proportionately.

See and be seen: Buy your art because you’re madly in love with and hang it where you can feast your eyes on it each and every day.  One of our favorite spots to hang art is in the kitchen, since it's where we all spend most of our time.  

The very best spot for your favorite art could be the kitchen.

Have fun with your collections:   Walls don't have to be just for art.  We love to mix art with mirrors, barometers, sconces and architectural elements, just like we love contemporary frames with crunchy traditional ones.

 At Huff Harrington Home, the mix makes the walls come alive.

For great visual impact, consider a big piece for a small room.

Flanked by smaller paintings, this fabulous portrait looks great in this smaller space. From Veranda.

Gallery Walls: A great way to pack a punch!  Arrange your paintings for the maximum wow effect.  We’re crazy about art walls – and they’re not as scary to hang as they seem if you start by arranging them on the floor first or creating a grid with craft paper.

Don’t be afraid of creating a gallery wall. It’s easy, especially if you plot your grid on the wall or floor first.  Better Homes and Gardens.

If you’re doing a gallery wall, keep in mind that there needs to be a unifying factor: similar frames, similar subject matters, palette or media.

This grouping is a pretty symphony in blue which unifies it and really makes it pop. From Ace of Space.

Making an impact: we love this elegant grouping from Traditional Home. Using similar mats and frames really makes this stand out.

Think outside the wall: you can lean, prop and stand your paintings all over the house. Pay attention to overlooked spaces, too — corners and over doorways and archways are prime decorating spots.

We love the way the upper shelf is used as a mini-gallery in this shot from House Beautiful.

Take it to the table: small pictures don’t need to be on a wall; try an easel or bookshelf.

More from the talented Suzanne Kasler: paintings take center stage when they’re hung on bookshelves.

We love to layer art over art, or art over mirrors, and an easel gives it height.

Same kind of different: as long as there’s something unifying the grouping (here it’s the touches of black) you can hang whatever you like. It doesn’t have to match – and it’s better if it doesn’t.

This works because even though the art and frames are all different, they’re unified by something similar: black. (Interior Design Musings.)

Go with the flow: Don’t let the room dictate what you love:  work with architectural features, not against them.

 Work with what you have. If panelling or moulding gets in the way work with it, not against it. Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles/Courtney Giles.

Let your personality shine: Art is individualistic and subjective.  Sometimes, you just need to follow your gut and take a chance with your hanging technique.

Try fitting art into little nooks, in between mirrors and other accessories

We love the adventure of hanging art – and nothing makes us feel better than knowing that the nail is in the right spot, the painting’s at the right height and we can step back and enjoy the Aha moment.  Have fun with this and happy hanging!

Ta ta,

HH

P.S. Don't forget that you can take art on approval from Huff Harrington Fine Art -- remotely!  Just email us pictures of your space, tell us what you like and let us do the playing.  We'll send you images to pick from that won't break the bank ... or your back!